Clasping and switching your Alta wristband

[MatthewFitbit]

One of the trickiest parts of getting started with a brand-new wristband tracker is simply learning how to get it clasped properly. The following post can help you with that!

How do I clasp my Alta wristband more easily?

• Before putting the wristband on your actual wrist, you can clasp and unclasp your wristband repeatedly using both hands. This will help to loosen the holes in the band a little bit, and should make it a bit easier to clasp when it's actually on your wrist.
• As detailed in this help article, most people have success with "pinching" the clasp between two fingers when they go to put it on. This will usually be more effective than simply pushing hard against your wrist, which is both awkward and potentially uncomfortable.
• An awesome tip that has been shared by @Gmadiane is to place a drop of olive oil on the holes and push the clasp through. This seems to have worked for quite a few other users. Thanks for sharing!
  
• Once your wristband is clasped, make sure that both the metal prongs are securely in their holes, as shown below on the left. If one of the prongs is still loose, as shown on the right, then the band is not yet secure and may come off your wrist unexpectedly.
  

We're confident that you'll be able to get your alta clasped with just a little practice. Don't be discouraged if it's difficult at first - it definitely gets easier over time!

How do I change my Alta wristband?

Fitbit Alta's wristband is detachable from the top and bottom of the tracker, so that you can replace it with accessory bands of different color or material. For help with detaching your Alta's wristband, check the steps in this help article, or watch the video below. 

[Imogene]

Is the fitbit alta compatible with all sizes of wristbands or do you need to use the wristband size you originally purchased? I ordered an Alta last night and now I think that I purchased the wrong size. What I'm wondering is if I purchase a band in the other size will it fit? 

[SunriseJogger03]

Not sure on the wristband because I lost my Alta within two weeks. I did not realize there were issues with the stock wristband.

Sent from my iPhone
Go BROWNS #33
Mary Lee

[bitfan]

If the band fits one Alta, it will fit all. The only difference is the
length. My $9 Amazon buckle band is still awesome! Stays on and BUCKLES!

[Imogene]

Thank You! That is what I was hoping to hear 🙂

[Nurseanne]

If you wore a size medium order a medium, etc

Sent from my iPhone

[SunsetRunner]

@Imogene - Good morning! 

To to answer your question, yes, any of the Fitbit Alta bands - no material what size -  will fit the Atla.  The size refers to the band, not the tracker. But rather than spending more and ordering another band, why not just change your order to the size you want? Or immediately return it when it arrives? This way you will have a band that fits. And if you still want to order another band, you can order one in a different material or color. 

Good luck!

[SunsetRunner]

@SunsetRunner - good suggestion. I myself used a tiny drop of the argon oil I normally rub into my hair but a nice hand lotion will also work. But may I modify your suggestion a bit? No need to oil all the holes. Identify the two you will normally use to snap the Fitbit comfortable onto your wrist, then oil only those two holes. Rub it in. Wait a minute. Then clean off any extra with a tissue.  

If anyone does not like the idea of rubbing a lotion or oil on the band, here is another suggestion of what has working for me in the past:

 - while in the shower, place the "hole" side of the band in hot tap water. Be careful not to get the device itself wet. This will soften the band a bit and make it easier to snap shut. 

  - do this for every shower for several days until you can easily snap the band closed. 

I have arthritis in my fingers but with the help of these tricks, I can easily snap my bands shut. Do I wish Fitbit would offer a buckle type closure on one of their bands? I sure do! Click HERE to add your vote to a request for a buckle band for the Alta. 

[SunsetRunner]

@JanBidwell - I also had problems with my Alta accurately tracking my sleep. Luckily, there was a simple solution that worked for me.  I synced the device then reset it. That did it for me. Hope it will work for you. 

Here are instructions. Or click HERE for the direct link. 

[Nurseanne]

I don't work for Amazon... They do have Alta replacement bands in colors and patterns with a buckle. I've bought already from them for my Alta. Love them. Perfect! Great choices and priced well

[JodieNJ]

I have had the Alta for around 6 weeks and it hasn't gotten one bit easier to put it on my wrist!  I take it off t least once a day, to shower, and sometimes twice, and each and every time it takes many minutes of frustration and hurting my wrist before I can get the pegs into the little holes. 

I had a FitBit Charge before the Alta and had no problem with the clasp.  I had to replace the Charge after a year though because it started falling off my wrist. 

The solution to the Charge problem was to design a wristband that is horrible to try to put on?

TERRIBLE design.  How could FitBit release this awful wristband to the public?

[ErickFitbit]

@SunriseJogger03 @JanBidwell Sorry to hear about your lost buddy! I recommend reaching out to our Support Team who will be more than glad to help provide you with options to help you get back to tracking your activity. 

@Imogen Yes, as @SunsetRunner pointed out above, the Alta tracker is compatible with all Alta wristband sizes. 

@JodieNJ Thank you for your feedback, I will make sure to pass it along. As you're still experiencing issues with clasping the Alta, I suggest getting in touch with our Support Team and letting them know the details of your experience. I am confident that they will be able to give you some further options.

[Nurseanne]

I don't work for Amazon... I buy my bands for my Fitbit... Which I have retired. I have the Alta which I love! The softer silicone bands from Amazon are so much easier to put on. They even have ones with buckle... Great looking prints and patterns available and at great prices!! Check it out

Sent from my iPhone

[Minkah]

Hi @JodieNJ there's a simple "fix" for the wrist band, it's much easier if you put it on by snapping the tracker in place and not the ends with the holes. First close the ends on the holes you need for the right fit. Then unlatch one side of the tracker, put the Alta on your wrist and snap the tracker closed. When you remove Alta you still unsnap the ends, but that's easy. Hopefully putting it on should not be a problem for you anymore, it's definitely worked for me!

[Minkah]

Hi @HawkAnimations and @SunsetRunner, check out the suggestion I just posted for @JodieNJ. I think it's much easier than oil or hot water....in short I snap the tracker closed to put it on, not the end with holes.

[JodieNJ]

Thank you! 

[JodieNJ]

Thank you!  I hadn't realized that Amazon sold the bands.  I'd probably go for one with a clasp; otherwise I'd be afraid I'd have the same issue with the Amazon band as I do with the FitBit band.

[Islandgrly]

Help!  I can't even clasp the band when it isn't on my wrist - just holding it in front of me I can't get the twoprongs into the holes - I've tried and tried but it really doesn't seem like it fits -- the metal prongs are too large for the holes.   Has anyone NOT been able to clasp the band???

[Minkah]

Have you tried the oil or hot water trick? (Careful don't get your tracker wet). Mine was pretty tough to close even off my wrist at first. Once I got it closed I used the method described below to close around my wrist by using the tracker. The band will definitely losen up over time and mine is easy to clasp now. I've been wearing it a couple months and I can latch it either using the tracker or ends with holes now. Also, I highly recommend getting silicone fastener rings to prevent the band from unexpectedly opening and falling off. I lost my flex that way and it was so upsetting, so I always wear one now. I got the rings from eBay but you can find them on Amazon too.

[tjandjinx]

Thanks for the hopeful message. I live alone and ended up using pliers to get mine on -- that and a lot of swearing!

[jkfreeman33]

I just received my new Alta and I agree..... worst fitbit band I've had to deal with.  I lost my flex by it coming undone by those claps and my Charge has the same claps.....Ugh

I just had carpal tunnell surgery and I can't press on my wrist that hard to get it to click. 

You would think Fitbit would have found a better way to have the band.  I did order a watch type band from Amazon, but if it isn't better, this is will be a deal breaker for me and the Alta will go back until they design a band someone over 40 can put on without assistance.

KF